Gourmet: The Master Chef Just Wants to Leisurely Set Up a Stall - Chapter 7

Behind the stall, a busy Zhao Xiaojing glanced at the glass cabinet, noticing several trays of skewers had been emptied, leaving her momentarily stunned.

Although she had tasted the flavors beforehand and found the system’s recipe astonishing, she hadn’t expected business to be this good on her first day.

Taking advantage of a brief moment while the skewers drained oil, Zhao Xiaojing opened the storage space beneath the tricycle, took out a large insulated box, and from there, several clear food containers filled with skewered items ready to replenish the nearly sold-out varieties.

The insulated box contained seven or eight ice packs, bought in the morning alongside meat purchases and frozen for hours in the old refrigerator left by the previous tenant.

The transparent containers were clean and shiny, quickly frosting over when removed, with the skewers inside looking pristine and fresh.

Parents nearby nodded approvingly.

Not only was Zhao Xiaojing’s skewer stand tasty, but it was also clean and hygienic—a far cry from those stalls where all the meats were mixed together without preservation measures, leaving them sticky and half-melted when removed.

The surrounding crowd grew more enthusiastic.

Once Zhao Xiaojing replenished the missing ingredients and arranged the trays, the parents surrounding her launched into another round of ordering.

“Sis, I want two skewers each of squid, pork chop, cabbage, potato, and yellow mushroom!”

“I’ll have three eggplants, three rice cakes, non-spicy please!”

“Boss, I want non-spicy too!”

“Sis, I’d like fried bananas for my mom! Plus chicken tenders, pork belly, squid, and two of those white and red ones!”

“Sis, sis, I want…”

By the time the older students were released, they found an impenetrable crowd around the skewer stall.

“What are they selling that everyone wants? Let’s go buy some too!”

“Hey, a new skewer stand? Why are so many people buying skewers? Let me try some too!”

The older elementary students eagerly joined the skewer-buying frenzy. After purchasing, they stood in clusters enjoying their snacks.

Next to them, congee stall owner Li Zhi kept glancing at the skewer-eating students beside her, distracted from her own sales.

In just an hour, her day felt incredibly long—the aroma from the neighboring skewer stall almost pulling her soul away!

Although her congee business boomed today too, nearly every customer was holding a skewer, leaving her little focus on selling porridge!

Who knows how those skewers were made—each one perfectly golden brown with richly brushed sauce, making her eyes glaze over.

And the aroma was irresistible! She usually didn’t indulge in fried foods, but the skewer’s fragrance was alluring, practically crawling up her nose. She’d been craving customers’ skewers for ages!

Li Zhi wanted desperately to sneak over for a few skewers to satisfy her cravings, but even though her customers were sporadic, they never ceased. Selling congee left her anxious, swallowing countless times.

It wasn’t until 17:30 that she served her last customer. Eagerly packing up, she swiftly covered the porridge pot and dashed to the skewer stand with newfound freedom.

“Boss, I want skewers. Give me a few!”

“I want…”

“Sold out?!!” Li Zhi’s shock at the empty glass cabinet carried a hint of genuine disappointment.

“Uh… yes, the remaining skewers are all in the pot for this customer.”

“Really none left? Not even one? What about the ones in your container?”

“They’re… sold out too.”

Zhao Xiaojing meekly faced the skewer-less customer, bewildered by her look of longing.

She was equally flustered—preparing 500 skewers and not expecting to sell out in one go. Originally, she planned to sell some at the school gate and then shift to the night market.

Li Zhi looked mournfully at the empty glass cabinet, casting another glance at the tray of freshly fried skewers with a longing gaze.

Standing nearby waiting for his skewers, a young man with his child subtly shifted to shield his skewers.

These were hard-earned after thirty minutes wedged among students; he and his daughter wouldn’t have enough otherwise!

Zhao Xiaojing lowered her head, using her hat brim to hide her eyes as she quickly finished preparing the skewers. She exchanged them with the young man with unspoken understanding—scan, pay.

Then the young man swiftly led his daughter away, contemplating life as they went.

Buying skewers felt like engaging in some shady deal!

“Missy, will you sell again tomorrow?” Li Zhi asked hopefully.

“I will.”

“Great, tomorrow, I’ll be waiting!”

“No, I’ll be waiting tomorrow!”

“No, wait for me tomorrow!”

“Alright, I’ll reserve some for you if you order first.”

Amused yet touched by Li Zhi’s persistence, Zhao Xiaojing packed up quickly, hopped on her tricycle, and departed cheerfully.

Back in her rented room, Zhao Xiaojing didn’t rest. Instead, she excitedly checked her phone to tally today’s earnings.

Mobile payments totaled 513 yuan, combined with 241 yuan in cash, amounting to 754 yuan—today’s revenue.

After deducting material costs from today’s earnings, she still profited nearly 300 yuan.

With insufficient funds earlier in the day, she mostly bought vegetables and less meat, avoiding high-cost items like chicken drumsticks and wings.

Even so, along with packaging boxes, trays, tongs, condiments, and oil purchases, expenses neared 500 yuan.

The system’s assistance—providing a stall cart, gas tank, stove—was crucial; otherwise, breaking even was unattainable.

While earning thousands monthly from selling snacks is possible, it’s also grueling work requiring meticulous planning and optimal use of resources.

Fortunately, with the system’s help, she recouped expenses today and netted a couple hundred yuan more.

Now she had working capital to restock tomorrow. Her home fridge still held half a pound of chicken tenderloin and a small piece of pork belly plus two rice cake packs.

Collapsing onto her bed with a smile, Zhao Xiaojing’s excitement lingered on.

Acquiring the system, mastering skewers, debuting her stall with a queue of eager customers—all seemed surreal.

Especially since her determination to change fate overcame her intense social anxiety. Deciding to live independently despite all odds brought unexpectedly positive feedback…

Everything felt unreal—so good she dared not dream further.